Case study Mrs Puke is a 44 year old Māori woman. Mrs Puke worked as an Early Childhood teacher until three years ago when she was diagnosed with lung cancer. Her husband passed away in a work...

Case study


Mrs Puke is a 44 year old Māori woman. Mrs Puke worked as an Early Childhood teacher until three years ago when she was diagnosed with lung cancer. Her husband passed away in a work accident two years prior, however she has three adult children (two who live locally) and grandchildren. Her grandchildren all live locally and have a close relationship with their grandmother.


Mrs Puke has undergone removal of two tumours and subsequent radiotherapy and chemotherapy, however she has recently been told that the cancer has spread to her liver, pancreas and spine. She has been advised that her cancer is terminal and that treatment is unlikely to prevent or slow down further metastases.


Mrs Puke has decided to have no further treatment and to spend her last days at home with her family.




Using the case study above, write an essay which:


1.)Analyses the potential impact of cancer on Mrs Puke and her family, referring to at least one Māori health model for an holistic approach to her care;


2.)Critically discusses the roles and responsibilities of at least three health professionals, within a multi-disciplinary team, in relation to the management of Mrs Puke ’s symptoms;


3.)Identifies two additional factors, from a Māori perspective, which may need to be considered by health professionals involved in Mrs Puke’s end of life care.